Why do credit cards have an expiration date?

Answer 1

The magnetic stripe wears out over time; it's easier to manage getting new ones to people if they just automatically send them to everyone when they get close to their estimated end of life cycle than to wait for customers to call in saying their card stopped working. People would be pretty annoyed if all of a sudden their card was no good and they couldn't figure out why!
This also helps "phase-in" new technologies in that stripe, like how some gas stations now ask for your zip code when you buy gas. This helps verify your identity but a credit card issued 20 years ago will not "know" how to "talk" to the bank when it is read by the gas pump. So retiring old cards and shipping out new ones allows companies to update what that stripe "knows" how to do.

Answer 2

Little known secret that all credit cards are made from a species of fish found only in the southern Pacific Ocean area. You don't want those blasted things expiring and stinking up your wallet or purse, do ya?

Answer 3

Good question. I would have to assume that they would want to see if you are a good customer--that pays your credit card off and all and makes payments on time, in order to grant you or up your credit limit. But it probably means nothing else if even that, since bad credit by not paying your bills on time or off completely is what keeps them in business.

Answer 4

So that the credit card companies can keep your information current, and reliable.

Answer 5

For when the filling goes bad.

Answer 6

I guess the plastic spoils..lol

Answer 7

for cardholders update information

Answer 8

SO THEY CAN RAISE THE PRICE AND SEND U A NEW ONE WITH THE NEW RATES

Answer 9

they spoil